Woman skis across Antarctica alone
23/01/2012
Ms Aston set out from the Ross Ice Shelf at the foot of the Leverett Glacier to start her journey on November 25. Skiing up the Leverett Glacier, through the Transantarctic mountains, the 1,744-kilometre route next took her onto the Polar Plateau and the geographic South Pole, where she was able to re-stock her supplies with the help of specialist expedition support and tour operator Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions.
Her trek continued across the Polar Plateau to the coast of Antarctica at the edge of the Ronne Ice Shelf. On January 22, Ms Aston sent a message on Twitter saying she had reached her destination, the Hercules Inlet, after 59 days. She said a plane was on its way to pick her up and that she was looking forward to a hot shower and some red wine.
Later, in a statement through her main sponsor, Moscow-based IT security company the Kaspersky Lab, Felicity Ashton said: “I cannot express how happy I am to have finally made it. The Kaspersky ONE Transantarctic Expedition represents a culmination of everything I experienced and learned before on other challenging journeys. I prepared for it physically and mentally for a very long time. And finally here I am having reached my final destination, having got through some rather severe conditions, but most importantly of all having overcome my own fear. I will never forget this moment, and I’m sure the memory will lead me on to other ventures in the future.”
Her protection from the elements on the two-month journey included Extreme salopettes from Northumberland-based outdoor brand Montane. Made with high-performance fabric from Pertex, the garment has a pile lining to provide vital insulation against the bitter Antarctic wind that blows outward from the South Pole. Ms Aston explained before setting out that she would be walking into this headwind for the first half of her journey but that she was confident the salopettes would help protect her from cold-injury.
Montane also provided a Bionic long-sleeve zip-neck baselayer garment, worn next to the skin. They are made from the Sportwool mix of merino wool and polyester. Ms Aston revealed that, in spite of the bitter wind, whiteout conditions and many challenges from the elements, there were also times on the trek when the sun was so warm that she stripped down to her baselayer garments so as not to feel too hot. The same company also provided her with a wind-resistant, water-repellent and breathable Jaguar mid-layer jacket.
Cheshire-based Mountain Equipment also supplied life-saving clothing for the expedition, in this case the lightweight, breathable Kongur Jacket, which has plenty of ventilation zips to help wearers regulate their temperature, and the Annapurna down jacket to conserve body heat during rest periods. Mountain Equipment also supplied its Redline mitt to help protect Ms Aston’s hands, a critical part of her equipment, not least because women are physiologically more prone to cold extremities. The Redline has an inner pile liner that can be used on its own and a down outer that can be worn over the top on really cold days. Insulation technology in this glove comes from Primaloft, with other components including durable and water-resistant Armortan goatskin leather from specialist leather supplier Pittards.
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